Affordances Response

Affordance in relation to our project

We thought of affordance in our project especially for the box which the user will breathe into. We thought, "how would one know to put their head into the box?" A solution we found for this would be to be placed on a wall at a height higher than normal that would reflect the head to be placed within the box. Another solution to the breathing box would be to have some sort of chin mold on the box which reinforces the user to put their head into the box. This chin idea reflects the machine used at the eye doctor where the person puts their chin on a chin mold in order to get their eyes tested. 

Response to Affordance Questions

"an action possibility available in the environment to an individual, independent of the individual's ability to perceive this possibility"

How do  you understand this definition/description of affordance? Please put into your own words. What if anything may or may not be problematic about this interpretation of the notion of affordances?

       -We understand this definition as the object itself has a universal view to us but each person can      interpret it in their own way. In addition, it describes the interaction of person to object based on its physical properties and its relationship to the surroundings. We automatically assume that one will interact with an object based on how we would interact with it but in reality culture and society of different people will have an effect on how they use the object.

What might be the connection between affordance and evolution?

      - The connection between the two shows how we have developed certain physical properties with already knowledge embedded within us. The change of the environment over time has caused us to develop our perception of the objects around us. There is a cause and effect between evolution and affordance since the development of society has created a change in the way one interacts with the environment. 

What is the difference between a niche and a habitat? Explain in your own words and give an example of each. What is your niche?

       -The habitat is where a species lives rather than a niche is how a species lives. A niche is based on affordances and the role a species takes on based on its surroundings. A habitat is an overall environment. An example would be a jungle, or FAC. A niche would be a gorilla's interactions with the environment such as its affordance to bananas. Our niche would be this classroom and the computers which is suitable for us as a work environment. 

An affordance cuts the dichotomy of subjective and objective and helps us to understand its inadequacy. The affordances of the environment are facts of the environment, not appearances. But they are not on the other hand, facts at the level of physics concerned with matter and energy and animals left out.

Get into your groups and answer the following questions
Pick three aspects/environmental conditions of this room or the third floor of FAC. Describe each of these aspects as an affordance. What activity is implied by the material? What sorts of sensory input does this  condition/object offer the user? One way of doing this might be able to put yourself in the place of an alien. What about the object or condition compels you to act upon it in a particular way?

        - Vending Machine: There is food behind a glass so one thinks "how do we get the food?" The buttons and slots allow us to physically interact with the machine. The lights stimulate our vision and the buttons stimulate our sense of touch. What is compelling to the vending machine is the food behind the glass and figuring out a way to get the objects from out of the enclosed machine. 

        - Water fountain: There are protruding buttons on the machine as well as a spout. The surface is shiny as well as smooth which makes someone want to come closer to it. Sensory inputs the water has to offer is touch and as an effect of touch enables taste. It makes noise but the noise does not effect the interaction, it is just an internal part of the machine. The height of the water fountain is compelling as well as the arc it creates.
 

        - Cup: A vessel that can hold matter. Activities implied by a cup are drinking, scooping, holding. The shape is made for one to be able to grab and hold their hand around. The size of the cup affects the amount that can be held within. Sensory inputs include touch and taste. The compelling aspect is its portability,shape, and the various uses. 

What do you think is the difference between usefulness and utility with respect to affordances?

        - Utility reflects an object being beneficial, profitable and advantageous to the one interacting with the object while usefulness implies practicality. 

What might be a false affordance? Create a situation other than that of the cat on the glass floor who is afraid to walk because the glass is transparent and there is a drop in floor? Think about how zoos keep animals in w/o cages or slapstick comedy.

Are we aware of all of the affordances of an object or a condition?  Do you think affordances are cultural? Are they different for people with disabilities?

Draw parallels between the idea of affordances and intentionality and art. What is the relationship between metaphor and affordances? I think this might be worth thinking about this.